2.28.2015

Had another awesome evening with my Crafting with 'Crap' peeps at Quest University Canada. We made jewelry and more out of old wool sweaters. Such a super fun group - we chatted, we laughed, we hugged it out and crafted up a storm!

Here's class 2's how to... Next up is class 3 - how to make an organizer out of salvaged wood.

2.20.2015

DIY wedding bands are good to go... Next up? My wedding dress using 'restyled' thrift store finds! Here's what I'm starting with - a $4 dress from the Lions Gate Thrift Shop. It's a light grey with a silk-like texture. It's size 16 and I'm size 8 so there's a ton of trimming that needs to be done!

My plan is to create a very simple and elegant dress that I can jazz up somehow - yet to be decided. First step is 'restyling' the dress to fit me. And thankfully my super talented crafty peep Karen from Endure Upcycled Designs has agreed to help!

As you can see it's quite big on me. Maybe I'll create something from the scrap pieces. A bracelet with a floral detail using bits of the scrap fabric. Who knows!

Here's the pin up job we did... Pulling in the sides, snipping here, snipping there plus making the scoop line lower.

It's gonna be fun! After we trim the dress then we get crazy and creative! I'm going to stew on ideas the next two weeks then we move to phase two. SO EXCITED!

Here's Karen and I ready to kick upcycling butt...

Karen makes awesome stuff... Definitely check her out at In Good Company at 67 Lonsdale Avenue.

2.18.2015

Well 2015 is starting off with a bang! So many awesome things in the works and coming down the pipe. The best part is surrounding myself with super kewl peeps. Two of my DIYs were posted recently on LowerLonsdale.ca.

And I just found out I'm giving an upcycling workshop as part of the GardenSmart Workshop Series, a program through North Shore Recycling Program, the Edible Garden Project and the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre. The GardenSmart Workshop Series demonstrates sustainable gardening techniques that help North Shore Residents reduce waste, support our local ecology and grow their own food.

2.14.2015

And the countdown is on! Crafting with 'Crap' starts up on Thursday and I'm super stoked!! I'm finalizing my course outline this weekend plus gathering materials. It's gonna be tons of fun!

I have two awesome guest speakers for the class. First up is Inis LeBlanc. Inis is the Founder and Executive Director of Squamish ReBuild. She'll tell us all about Squamish ReBuild, what they do and what you can find there then we'll work on a project with her.

And then we have my uber talented friend Karen Yaremkewich. Karen (aka Endure Upcycled Creations) is a Squamish-based upcycler, crafter and artist. Her work is super inspiring in how she creates decor, clothing and costumes out of repurposed materials. We'll work with her on an easy DIY upcycling burlap.

Looking forward to meeting my students and making funky stuff out of 'junk' together. Big thanks to Quest University Canada for getting me hooked up in their continuing education program. 2015 is rockin'!

2.10.2015

The countdown is on... Saturday's the big day. Have you made something crafty filled with love for that special someone? I have! Awww love!!

My giftie involved reloving a thrift store find from ages ago. This $1 mini photo album was the perfect fit for my sweetheart...

A book of memories with the last couple pages left blank. We're gonna write our own happy ending together. Who knew I was such a sap?!

I got a few of my Instagrams printed plus added this quote to the beginning. Whenever I would stress about how we were gonna find ourselves together, Roly would always bring up this quote. I sent it to him after we met... So this is a big part of our love story.

I printed photos of us, him, me, moments...

Then trimmed the photos. I used adhesive photo corners to add a photo to each page.

I slid a photo of us into the front pocket...

Here it is...

Love the photos, the sentiment... I also enclosed his DIY wedding band to the back page. That's definitely part of our happy ending!

As he predicted ages ago...

After I added the photos, it really needed something more... I found these heart-shaped wooden buttons from Button Button. I thought these would be perfect to help keep the album shut.

I glued one button to the front and one to the back then added ribbon.

A super simple way to keep the album closed plus looks very sweet.

And that's it... That's how to 'sappily' a thrift store find.

Happy Valentine's Day! Best wishes for a day filled with love, joy, happiness and possibility! xo

2.09.2015

Saturday was the Valentine's Crafternoon at the North Vancouver City Library. Man I love my NVCL peeps! Such a fun and fabulous afternoon! We had about 50 participants - all ages, all skill levels. Half regulars, half new participants. Yay for Crafternoons!

Here's one of my regulars... He made some upcycled toilet paper roll containers.

Another regular who was super stoked about his flying container... Seriously kids are awesome!

Getting all goofy cause that's what I do... Me with my friend Margaret's tissue paper bouquet. Practicing for my wedding in the spring. I look the part of a bride I hope!

New participants who made a swanky wool sweater purse with a gorgeous beaded handle. I know these guys are coming back!

Another newbie... Such a lovely lady who made a burlap purse that totally coordinated with her outfit.

And my helpers! Awwww love these two! Thankfully they stuck around after with a few other people to help me clean up.

Such a cutie with a couple of her projects. A heart-shaped pillow out of old clothing and a toilet paper roll heart-shaped decor piece.

My friend Adriana popped by and cranked out three gorgeous DIY cards.

More Crafternoon newbies...

A couple of my regular participants... These girls are keeners and love to craft!

Adore my Crafternoons!! Feeling the love...

Another newbie who will definitely be back. She made this awesome purse out of an upcycled wool sweater and fabric samples.

Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is a local author, crafter, upcycler and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver, BC. Her passion is to turn 'junk' into new and funky pieces. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating 'Crafternoons' throughout Vancouver.